Teacher Arrested for Having Sex with Student NR10235ah

Los Angeles: A Los Angeles Unified School District school teacher has been arrested on suspicion of having sex with a female teenage student.

On May 3, 2010, investigators executed a felony arrest warrant at the home of 39-year-old Cesar Fernandez and took him into custody without incident.  Fernandez was charged with unlawful sex with a minor and is being held on a $100,000 bail.  

On January 15, 2010, investigators learned that the sexual relationship appeared to have started during the school summer break of 2009.  The girl was 17 years old at the time of the relationship and is now 18.  The suspect had inappropriate relations numerous times, detectives said.

Fernandez has been a teacher since 1993.  He has been assigned to the 32nd Street USC Math Science and Technology High School since 1996.  The school is located at 822 West 32nd Street in Los Angeles.  He was the athletic director and full-time teacher at the time of the allegation.  He taught various courses and coached basketball and volleyball teams.  Fernandez also taught summer school at Carson High School.  He was administratively assigned to the school district office pending the investigation.  

On April 30, 2010, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office filed four counts of unlawful sex with a minor against Fernandez.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call Southwest Sexual Assault Unit detectives at 213-485-2585.  During non-business hours or weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800)-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most key pads) using a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters can also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “web tips” and follow the prompts.